ONEUS Channels the DEVIL in First Full Album
If there is one thing ONEUS has done in their musical career, it is explore different types of concepts. From the unforgettable debut of “Valkyrie” to the traditional roots in “LIT” and the powerful greek god metaphors in “TO BE OR NOT TO BE,” ONEUS has hit many different types of concepts across the board. But one we didn’t even know we needed until now was the dark and intense atmosphere that accompanies DEVIL.
The Title: “반박불가 (No diggity)”
Right off the bat, it’s pretty clear that “반박불가 (No diggity)” aims at being your typical hard-hitting, hip-hop influenced K-Pop track, so if that’s up your alley, this will be your new jam. It’s fairly standard in that sense, with a catchy and infectious beat from the moment it opens with Hwanwoong’s verse. You may expect a more rap focused track, but vocals take the main stage here, even with our deep-voiced rapper Leedo who has a number of vocal verses. Fear not, we still get a fire rap verse from the deep-voiced boy, and it’s definitely a highlight. Where some may find themselves a little less enthusiastic is the chorus and the unexpected EDM dance break at the very end. These were two parts that lost me a bit, but after a few listens I personally warmed up more to the song. It definitely does a complete 180 from the last release “뿌셔 (BBUSYEO),” and shows another side to ONEUS’s musicality. It may not be the strongest release from the group, but it definitely still has a lasting impact.
If the song didn’t indicate the intense concept, the music video sure does. With heavy use of bright neon colors and fire, it’s hard not to be captivated by the strong visuals. The darker concept is highlighted by the spiky face cover Xion sports, the intricate skull Keonhee holds, the canon as the main centerpiece in Leedo’s shot, and most certainly Hwanwoong sporting a whole flamethrower at one point. The choreography shots that are highlighted are chosen to drive home the hard-hitting and precise moves. The most memorable combination has the ONEUS members in varying red suits while the backup dancers wear see-through tops and all black, including masks to cover their faces. It really fits well with the song and is a great example of a stunning dark concept. One thing to point out is how well the members use their facial expressions for this comeback, considering it goes much darker than anything else they’ve put out. Hwanwoong especially does a great job in personifying the psycho, nailing a Joker-esque feel from the moment he’s first seen on camera. Fans of intense, dark concepts will be in love with this video.
The Album
ONEUS’s first full album DEVIL features eleven tracks in total, kicking off with the intro “Devil is in the detail.” Fans are surely familiar with the album structure of the group, but there is something a bit different in this album intro. It does certainly build up to the title track, but it also has a very distinct flavor as its own song with a rather chill R&B feeling taking center stage in the beat. This certainly contrasts the strong and hard-hitting nature of “반박불가 (No diggity),” but at the same time it is a great complement.
Want to have some whiplash? The first B-side “식은 음식 (Leftover)” definitely has hip-hop roots in the beat, but the song itself is much brighter and more upbeat in a way that gives off a carefree vibe. “완벽하지 않아도 괜찮아 (Incomplete)” comes in to provide a more somber feeling, a softer song with an underlying Latin beat that feels almost like a declaration of yearning. The new beat makes it incredibly infectious, even with a bit of a slower tempo. You’ll certainly be thrown off (as I was) about halfway through the track when rappers Ravn and Leedo have a quick verse and the tempo abruptly goes into double time, suddenly giving the song a more punk vibe for a very short period. Interesting production choice, to say the least.
“Youth” is a warm and sentimental track that has classic pop elements that sound a lot like a thank you type of track. It’s a pretty steady beat that places more emphasis on vocals and is a breath of fresh air amongst some of the other tracks that are more experimental. The second half of the album kicks off with previous digital “뿌셔 (BBUSYEO),” which you can read our recap on here.
“우리의 시간은 거꾸로 흐른다 (Rewind)” has a similar feel to “식은 음식 (Leftover)” with a more upbeat and EDM type of influence in the melody. This is the first major influence of EDM we hear after the dance break in the title, which is interesting considering how prominent it tends to be in most K-Pop tracks. “Lion Heart” brings in a bit of interesting retro influence of ‘80s synth that definitely helps it stand out, but it is rather strong in the chorus. “What You Doing” has a catchy beat that has trance influences mixed with traditional pop in the verses. “눈부시게 빛이 나던 그 날 (I.P.U)” continues the more soft and upbeat demeanor of most of the B-sides, while the outro “Connect with US” drives home the optimistic and traditional pop feeling felt in the second half of the album.
Truth be told, I was hoping for some more hip-hop influenced tracks in the album that is led by the darker concept. It was a bit surprising to hear such upbeat tracks following something so hard-hitting. Adjusting expectations, there are still tracks that are well-delivered. It’d be nice to hear a little bit of variety on the tracks, but there are some interesting experimental choices in some tracks that help keep the sound fresh. All in all, the album is worth a listen, whether or not you enjoyed the title track.